Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

108 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

2. The Poor as Leaders

Acts 4.13 – When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary ( idiotes ) men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 1 Cor. 12.7, 11 – Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. . . . All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. James 2.5 – Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom he promised those who love him? Rev. 1.5-6 – and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

I have my defense, but it consists in the prayers of the poor. The blind and the lame, the weak and the old, are stronger than hardy warriors. ~ St. Ambrose (340-397). “Sermon Against Auxentius.” Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers , Second Series, Vol. 10. p. 436.

Key Team Leader Virtues: Constantly vigilant against paternalism and responses to the poor that are based on “remedial Christianity.” Constantly investing in, and entrusting authority to, faithful leaders among the poor as the means by which the church will be planted.